Beijing, (TDI): In an unprecedented event, 5,000 couples from across China were married simultaneously in 50 locations nationwide on Sunday.
This large-scale group wedding marks a significant chapter in the lives of these couples and the country’s history.
Themed “A celebration by families and the nation to witness happiness together,” the event is the largest of its kind organized by Chinese authorities since the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
Wedding ceremonies were held across various provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities, and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, as well as in Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan.
Dressed in traditional Chinese wedding attire, the couples exchanged vows, gifts, and flowers.
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In addition to pledging lifelong commitment to one another, the newlyweds also endorsed a proposal calling for simpler wedding procedures and opposing high dowry demands, known as “caili.”
The event is seen as an effort to promote reforms in traditional marriage customs, advocate for a new culture of marriage and childbearing, and foster happier marriages.
Support for Reducing Extravagant Wedding Costs
Many participants expressed their support for reducing extravagant wedding costs.
A couple from Jiangxi Province remarked that marriage is about love and commitment, and that excessive “caili” often imposes a financial strain on young couples.
Their sentiment was echoed by a bride from Heilongjiang Province, who emphasized that finding a life partner is the most important aspect of marriage.
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Demographic expert He Yafu highlighted that one of the key reasons for China’s declining marriage rate in recent years has been the rising cost of weddings, particularly in rural areas where high dowry demands are more common.
He noted that the group wedding aims to encourage simpler, more affordable ceremonies to help reverse this trend.
The largest gathering of newlyweds was recorded in Inner Mongolia, where 300 couples tied the knot.
